As flu season approaches, you may be wondering if having a pediatrician administer a flu vaccination to your children is necessary. Here’s a guide to help you learn what you should know about the vaccine and understand why to have children vaccinated for the flu.

The Importance of Getting Vaccinated for the Flue

Why Is the Flu Shot Important?

Flu vaccinations prevent children from catching the flu and save busy parents from the stress of having a sick child at home. Although you may not think of the flu as a serious illness, not long ago influenza was often fatal. The virus remains potentially deadly to children and older adults. Even healthy adults may require hospitalization for the disease.

The flu is a widespread infection that affects millions of people each year. Of those infected, hundreds of thousands are hospitalized, and tens of thousands die. To protect your family from influenza, have your pediatrician administer an annual vaccine to combat seasonal flu.

How Does the Vaccine Prevent Sickness?

Like other immunizations, the flu vaccine prepares your child’s body to fight the virus. If they become infected, they’ll have developed the antibodies to fight off sickness. The traditional flu shot, called a trivalent vaccine, shields against three flu viruses: H1N1, H3N2, and influenza B. A quadrivalent vaccine protects against these three viruses and an additional influenza B strain. Ask your pediatrician which is appropriate for your children.

What Are the Benefits of Flu Vaccines?

Besides protecting children from the flu, vaccines reduce the risk of hospitalization due to complications. If your child gets sick after being vaccinated, their symptoms will be less severe. After you have your pediatrician vaccinate your children, get a flu shot yourself to protect those around you.

Leave your child’s care in the capable hands of the pediatricians at Leitchfield Pediatrics in Grayson County, KY. These board-certified medical practitioners have been providing expert care to local residents since 1976. Their compassionate doctors and staff will administer flu shots to your children and keep them healthy and strong as they grow. Make an appointment today by calling (270) 259-5641, or learn more about the clinic online.